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Beer 101: Hints & Tips

In honor of Beer Lover's Day here are a few basic hints and tips to cover your beer drinking and pairing basics.
As with all pairings, the most important thing is what you think tastes good. The next best rule of thumb is to match flavors. What is the dominant flavor in your meal? Are you trying to bring that flavor out, complement it, or undercut it? These questions will help you figure out what to drink.
Beer is typically made of the same few, basic ingredients: water, yeast, hops, and grain- usually barley. What gives each beer a distinct flavor is the proportion of each of these ingredients, brewing temperatures, and timing. Plus, any bonus ingredients-think orange peel.
LAGER vs. ALE
Carbonated and best served chilled, lagers tend to be dry and slightly bitter. The bottom fermentation process lets yeast travel through the beer and settle at the bottom before it is stored for a time at cool temperatures to produce a full-bodied, crisp beer, with a mellow palate.
Pairs well with lighter foods as it will not overpower them or drown out the flavor of the food.
The more traditional top fermentation process lets yeast ferment at top of the beer and typically at a higher temperature. This process produces beers that are typically higher in alcohol content with delicious smelling flowery and fruity aromas.
Pairs well with flavorful food that will add richness to the beer, while the beer complements and balances the flavors of the food.
Both lagers and ales set the baseline for a whole host of possible variations. Get trying to see what you prefer!
HOPS
Almost all beers have hops, but only in IPAs does the higher proportion of hops provide that signature bitterness. The “hoppier” the beer, the more bitter it will be. If you are serving a meal with intense, strong flavors an IPA is sure to hold its own. Spicy food, smoked and grilled meats, and super sweet desserts all pair beautifully with a hoppy beer.
CIDER
Until gluten-free beers came around, cider saved the day for anyone maintaining a gluten-free diet. Now, ciders have been taken to such a level that you don’t need a reason to enjoy one. The fruitiness of ciders makes them versatile pairing partners for a wide range of dishes and flavors.
Pairs especially well with savory meats and cheese, as well as fruity and sweet desserts.
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This piece first appeared on the Delectable kiosk in the Fort Greene, Brooklyn Whole Foods 365

Dinner is teriyaki flank steak and sautéed cabbage. What do you pair with salty-sweet-fatty-garlicky-stinky? Bubbles! In this case, it’s @virtuecider ‘s The Mitten #michigan #cider. Aged in bourbon barrels, the bourbon character is just a balanced whisper between the fruit character and nice tannin, which is a relief. Too many folks jump on the “bourbon barrel aged” bandwagon and the resulting beverages are disastrous. Thanks, Virtue! #micider #craftcider #drinklocal #momlife #winelife — 6 months ago

Mikkeller's Windy Hill is one of the great New England style IPA. Made in the West Coast style, appropriately given the location of the brewery, the distinct piney notes come through in abundance. Sophisticated and citrusy with blood orange dominating, this is a superb beer. Shout out to @Josh Raynolds for bringing it to the office. — 7 months ago

Staying with the raspberry theme, this is fantastic. Great tartness on the palate, the raspberry element present but subtle compared to the previous beer. Great balance. Easily ond of thd best beers I’ve had from Firestone Walker. — 6 months ago

#VABeerMonthSolid IPA that is hopped with Citra, Wamiea and Vic Secret. Drank out of a one pint can (16 oz) and 6.2% Alc/Vol.Cloudy golden yellow with a moderate white head. A bit of hoppiness on the nose with some pines, citrus rind, floral and a touch herbal. Medium bodied with only a touch of bitterness. Nice amount of mandarine, a little perfumey herbs and some tropical notes behind the hoppiness. Medium plus to long finish and well rounded.$$ - $3.98 a can. — 6 months ago

Sometimes a barrel aged sour lambic made with peanut butter and smoked sausage is exactly what you might want. At other times (all other) a real beer is what you want. A beer that tastes like childhood (figuratively). This is it. A classic euro Pilsner. Refreshing, food friendly, not ridiculous alcohol or flavors. The way a lager/pils style beer should be. — 6 months ago